Earthworms, also known as Lumbricus terrestris or angleworms, can grow up to 14 inches. The common earthworm is something that all of us in North America are familiar with. Most of us, at a young age, were introduced to these “slimy, gooey” types of worms and learned to either … [Read more...]
Compost vs. Peat Moss: When Do You Use Each One?
by Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell Peat moss and compost are two all-natural soil amendments that are commonly used by modern gardeners to adjust the physical structure of the soil and to help improve fertility and increase nutrient levels. Each of these soil amendments … [Read more...]
Winter Cover Crops Common Questions, Answered
by Matt Gibson Cover crops, also known as green manures or catch crops, are plants that should be planted during the winter in areas of your garden that would otherwise remain bare during the freezing season. Good cover crops not only protect the soil from erosion over … [Read more...]
How to Know if You Have Quality Topsoil
Topsoil is one of our most important natural resources. It takes up to 500 years for one inch of topsoil to be created by nature. Topsoil is generally the first 6 to 12 inches of looser soil that you will find in your yard and garden. It is becoming a scarce commodity due to … [Read more...]
Ground Rules: Tips to Improve Garden Soil
Photo found on Flickr, courtesy of Bukowsky18. The most effective gardeners realize that soil is not inert or changeless. Soil is a living mass that changes season to season. It might be best to think of your garden soil as a living entity filled with billions of organisms … [Read more...]